Blake Freeland NFL Draft Overview
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6′-8″
Weight: 302 pounds
School: BYU
2023 NFL Draft: Blake Freeland Scouting Report
After spending the past four seasons at BYU, Blake Freeland has decided to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. The massive tackle enters the professional level on the heels of his best season to date. Seeing the field for 860 snaps, the Utah native finished the season allowing three hits, four hurries, and no sacks.
Freeland originally joined BYU prior to the start of the 2019 season. After starting his career at right tackle, he moved over to the left prior to the start of the 2021 campaign. That positional change proved easy for him, as he allowed just one sack, one quarterback hit, and three hurries on 876 snaps of action.
Strengths
- Astonishingly quick on his feet. Nobody that big should move so fast;
- Knows where to get hands for optimal leverage on blocks;
- Versatile with experience at both tackle positions;
- Can match speed rushers step for step;
- Should be able to add more to his frame with an NFL lifting program;
- Great athletic testing numbers – could be dangerous on pulls and in the second level.
Weaknesses
- Size can be a disadvantage – loses his center of balance too easily;
- “Only” 300 pounds despite 6′-8″ height – needs to add some muscle;
- Doesn’t drive defenders back or run over guys – more finesse than power;
- Needs to learn how to handle bull rushes;
- Too big to play guard – no fallback option if he can’t make it at tackle.
NFL Comparison: Kolton Miller on a crash diet
Teams With Need at Position: Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, New York Jets, New England Patriots
Projection: Rounds 3-4
Bottom Line on Blake Freeland
Blake Freeland is one of the more unique prospects in the NFL Draft class, as it’s rare to find a prospect where the biggest concern is that they’re too big. However, that’s where we are with Freeland, as his massive 6′-8″ height is one of the best – and worst – things about his tape.
Let’s start with the positives. Freeland is astonishingly quick on his feet, and seeing a guy that big move that well should give every team wet dreams about what he could potentially become. Speed rushers simply aren’t going to be able to get past him, and this quickness should allow him to be a dangerous weapon on moving blocks and in the second level. Additionally, he’ll probably begin his career as a backup, and that’s ok since he has starting experience at both tackle positions. And while he desperately needs to add more muscle, his frame should be able to effortlessly support some more weight.
Being big has its disadvantages, however, and Freeland’s size can easily be used against him. As is so often the case with bigger tackles, he has a high center of balance, so it doesn’t take much for him to lose his footing against stronger rushers. While he can mitigate this with above-average technique, hand placement can only do so much. And while 302 pounds is a lot for you and me, it’s not nearly enough for Freeland. The tackle needs to add weight in the worst way if he ever wants a chance to start in the NFL.
Like all prospects, there is a chance Freeland doesn’t work out at his original position. A lot of times, teams will take players that don’t work at tackle and try them at guard, and it can work out. However, that’s not an option with Freeland, as he’s simply too tall to play guard. There is a lot of upside here if Freeland can add muscle without sacrificing his quick feet, but there is too much risk to justify anything more than a late Day 2 pick.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
